Spare wheel and cover assembly



6 Sheets-Sheet l G. A4 LYON SPARE WHEEL AND COVER ASSEMBLY OriginalFiled Nov. l, 1933 km2/v l lr I Feb. 14, 1939.

SPARE WHEEL AND COVER ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. l, 1935 6Sheets-Sheet 2 .z /z/EJEF G'eorye lerf afyan.'

Feb. 14, 1939. G, A LYQN v2,147,049

SPARE WHEEL AND COVER ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. l, 1933 6Sheets-Sheet 3 EW YET" Feb. 14, 1939. G, A LYON y SPARE WHEEL AD COVERASSEMBLY original Filed Nov. 1, 195s Feb. 14, 1939, G, A. LYON 2,147,049

SPARE vWliEE.: lAND COVER ASSEMBLY Original Filed Nov. l, 1933 6Sheets-Sheet 23 Q ,o Iig/.20.,

Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED As'rAr-ss PATENT OFFICE JGeorge AlbertiLyon, Allenhurst, 'N. J., assigner to Lyon Incorporated, Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application VNovember 1, 1933, SerialNo. 696,224 Renewed December 30, 1936 6 Claims.

'This 'invention has lto do withecovers for spare Wheels -and Etires and`is concerned more particularly with lmeans for :securely mounting a,spare wheel `on a carrier'therefor and also for securing f the cove1` inproper Aprotecting relation with the -sparewheel and/tire.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this 4charactervembodying cooperating rotary and translatory instrumentalities forsecuring the cover fin `substantially Coaxial relation tothe spare tireand wheel.

It is another objectoi this invention to provide means of this characterincluding theft-proof cooperating -rotary and translatory elements forsecuring the -cover lin substantially coaxial relation with the sparetire and spare wheel and, at -t'he same time, `preventing unauthorizedaccess to fthe wheel carrier;

It isafurther object ofthe invention to provide a theft-proof means ofthis'character carried entirelyfby the cover `and including a nut lockdevice which is preferably key-controlled vand removable v'to enable thetheft-proof -device to -be unlocked.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a spare wheel `andtirecarrier and cover assem- -bly embodyingsubstantially a singleconnection between the carrier and cover Vwhereby to hold 'the cover,spare wheel-anditire in proper coopera- Etive relation to each other andto thecarrien A further object oaf the linvention resides in theprovision of a spare wheel and tire cover and carrier assembly -arrangedto substantially completely -cover the spare wheel and the tire,emlbodying substantiallya singleconnection between fthe carrier andcover, and including vmeans for vpreventingunauthorized access to theconnection.

.-A further object of the invention contemplates the provision of meansaffording a single connection vbetween vthe cover and carrier whereby to`hold ,all of .the parts in Aproper cooperating relation, together withinstrumentalitiesV independent of lhe connection for preventingunauthorized access totheiconnection.

.Another .obj ect ,of lthe invention consists in the VAprovision :oi aswingable closure andV lock structure for the .central `part of .the-cover and cooperating ywith the spare ywheel hub to preventunauthorized jaccess to Athe connecting mean sbetween the'carri-edzand:the-cover.

It is further 'an fobject of 4the invention to provi-de, in la y.deviceAof this character, a, single .connecting'meansfbetween thecover and thecarvvrier and Yincluding va preferably key-controlled means cooperatingwith the connecting means so as to prevent vunauthorized access thereto.

The invention contemplates, as a further object, fthe provisionof coverstructure embodying complemental drum-like-substantially semi-cover 5members arranged to cooperate with each other so as to substantiallyconceal the spare wheel and tire when assembled in proper relation toeach other, said cover structure embodying a preferably permanentconnection between one of the members and the spare wheel carrying'means anda releasable connection between the other semi-cover andthefspare wheel.

It iis also an object of #the invention to provide an improved sparewheel and tire supporting and covering structure arranged to beassembled with an automobile body'so as to afford a substantiallystreamline effect.

In :accordance with the general features of the invention, the sparewheel carrier and spare 2o wheel may beV provided with cooperating meansaccessible from the front of the Wheel through the hub thereof, formounting the wheel on the carrier. Such means may include fasteningYmeansor may include dowel-like anchor elements by ,which the Wheel issupported from the carrier. Where the cover takes the form of a pair ofcomplemental drum-like semi-cover members, the :rear =half may besubstantially permanently connected to the carrier and the other halfre- 'leasablyconnected tothe carrier. The rear part of the cover may, ifdesired, constitute a recessed portion of the vehicle body in the eventa streamline eiect'is desired.

Inan embodiment wherein a cover for the rear side of the wheel isomitted, the cover employed may be connected through the spare wheel hubto the carrier or to the spare wheel hub independently ofthe carrier. Y

In the type ofeover which substantially corn- 40 pletelyconcea'ls thespare wheel and spare tire, embodying -complemental',semi-cover members,said members may be formed so as to overlap, or they may be formed so asto be spaced apart, and ,means suchk as a preferably ornamental springsplit ringemployed to bridge substantially all or a major'portion of thegap. Y

Whatever form the invention may take, as hereinafter more specificallydescribed, it will be evident that thestructure is extremely simple,involves a minimumfof parts which may be manufactured by simpleoperations and may be readily assembled; and which lends itself to easymanipulation so that the cover and spare wheel may be mounted andremovedwith a minimum .55

of effort and yet, when the same are mounted, they are securely held inposition against rattling.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The invention (in preferred forms) is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one form of theinvention, certain parts being shown in elevation and certain partsbeing broken away for the sake of clarity.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially asdesignated by the line II-II in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view similar to a portion of Figure l but showing amodified means for securing the cover in position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a modified form ofthe invention.

Figure 5 is a4 fragmentary sectional view taken substantially asdesignated by the line V-V in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially asdesignated by the line VI-VI in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a further modifiedform of the invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in theplane designated by the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially asdesignated by the line IX-IX in Figure 7, certain parts being shown forconvenience in elevation.

yFigure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing another modifiedform of the invention.

Figure 1l is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially asdesignated by the line XI-XI in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of the central portion of thestructure of the cover shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a cover construction which could beemployed in place of those shown in connection with the other forms ofthe invention.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyas designated by the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of a somewhat modified formof the cover structure shown in Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure shown-inFigure 15 and taken at right angles thereto.

,Figure 17 is a'view similar to Figure 14 but showing a modified form ofcover construction.

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 13 showing a further'modied formof cover construction.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken at the upperpart of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectional view of a still further modifiedform of carrier, spare wheel, cover and automobile body constructionaffording a streamline effect. Y

Figure 2l is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken substantiallyas designated by the line XXI in Figure 20. v

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated inFigure 1 a spare tire A mounted on a sparewheel B provided with a hub Cremovably'bolted at D toa carrier E which is preferably permanentlysecured to any suitable part of an automobile body, either atV the rearor in conjunction with a well at the side or elsewhere, such as a fenderwell. When so mounted, the spare wheel and tire may be removed by theinsertion of a wrench through the front opening F in the front wall G ofthe hub C and removal therewith `of the nuts of the bolt structures D.

The cover for the spare wheel and tire may take any desired form asshown in the various figures of the drawings. One form for illustrativepurposes is shown in Figure l as embodying a substantially one-piecedrum-like member I having a rim portion arranged to extend substantiallyentirely across and thus cover the tread of the tire A, and preferablyof such diameter as to enable said rim portion to accommodate tires ofdifferent diameters. When employed in conjunction with a spare wheelcarried independently of a well such as a fender well, the rim portionmay be continuous so as to extend entirely around the entire tread. Whenemployed in conjunction with a spare Wheel mounted in a well, such as afender well, the rim portion may be of such form as to coversubstantially the entire portion of the tire tread which is exposedabove the well. The cover I is formed with a substantially plate-likeside portion 2 extending inwardly from the rim portion and formed incross-section to substantially simulate the crosssectional contour ofthe front wall of the tire and the front side of the spare wheel. Theplate-like portion 2 is formed with a substantially centrally locatedrearwardly depressed cup-like boss 3 which is preferably, though notnecessarily, circular, the bottom 4 being preferably reinforced by aplate 5 which may be welded, riveted or otherwise suitably securedthereto. The size of the boss 3 is preferably such as to fit into themouth F with a substantial degree of clearance as shown and topreferably project into the hub C when the plate-like portion 2 isengaged with the front or outerrwall of the spare tire as at S. Theshape of the portion 2 at 6 is such as to enable the portion 2 to engagethe tire inwardly of the portion of the tire of maximum width, so thatthe part 6 serves as a means for centering the cover I with respect tothe spare tire A and consequently with the spare wheel B.

The plate 5, carries a plurality of guide elements such as the pins 'Ipreferably arranged equidistant from the center of the plate 5 and part3. Three pins 'I are illustrated, but it will be appreciated that anysuitable number may be employed for the purpose to be now described. Abolt 8 is arranged with its shank extending rearwardly through the plate5 and bottom 4 of to a sleeve 9 forming the body of a spider includingthree legs I8 riveted or otherwise suit- Y ably secured at II to thebody. The sleeve or body 9 is formed with perforations through which theguide pins 'I protrude, said pins thus preventing rotary but permittingtranslatory or axial movement relative to the bolt 8.

The head of the bolt is formed so as to be rotated by means of a wrenchand includes spaced wrench engaging portions I2 affording anintermediate'annular recess I3. A bolt lock device I4 affording ahousing for the head of the bolt 8 and providing suiicient clearance toenable the housing to be rotated about the bolt head. Said device isprovided with a preferably key-controlled latch or plunger I5 which hasits rear outer end beveled so as to be cammed `outwardly by the beveledforward extremity I6 of.l

alie-'e049 lthe boltheadzas-:the Jdevice;|.4 is forcedrearwardly overthe bolt head. A spring :Ilia :mounted in the forward endfof thefhousingis arranged-to yieldablyresist telescopingimovement of :the device I4relative to the bolt;head and `to `yieldably hold the latch 41,5 inlengagement vvwith the front lateral wall. ofthe circumferential groovei3 iafter said latch has been snapped by the lock mechanisminto saidgroove to the Aposition shown in Figure '1. 'The device 1.4 :may bet.variedfin its details so :long as it performs @the :functiondescribed. By inserting the propcrzkey in the .device i4, thelatch-.I5manbexetracted suciently to enablethe device 4 to fbe :removedV,and :allow the application of awrenchgtotheiportions 12in order tocause-translatory lmovement of the sleeve or-head 9.

The legs I0 are preferablyeidentical with each other and spaced equally.from each:other and equally from the center ofthe -sleeve i9. The legsli are `formed of vresilient l material such-as spring steel. `:Each legin the illustrated form constitutes substantially ;a leaf spring bent soas to extend substantially radially outwardly-and rearwardly and-theninwardly and forwardly to aiord a substantially hook-likestructurewithits free end portion preferably inclined tothe Yaxis of the cover as:shown-at I B. 'The dotted line showing of one ofthe legs l0 in Figure:1 illustrates the shape and arrangement of the leg :I0 when unstressed.In Figure l, vthe legs HJ are arranged in full lines in their4spread-out condition. This is `caused by rotation of the bolt 8 in adirection to draw :the head or sleeve V9 forwardly, thereby causing -thevends i6 to engage the corner Il of the lboss:3 and becammed outwardlythereby, until the legs l0 project outwardly substantially beyond themouth F and within the hub C. -Thus the legs IIJ serve as latches orretainers which, when the device -l4 is locked on the-bolt head,electiyely and-positively prevent removal ofthe cover l.

Since access tothewheelmounting bolt means D can be had onlyv throughthe mouth F of -the hub C, it will be understood that ywhen the-cover lis locked vas shown in Figure 1,J access to the bolt means Disvprevented Vso that .the means for locking the cover serves also as ameans for locking the space wheeland tire on the carrier E.

A dust excluding cap vI8 is :preferably hinged at I9 .to the side vplate.2, Ya .spring i2i) ,being ernployed preferably atthe pivot so las toyieldably hold the cap I8 in the position'desired. The. cap I8 ispreferably provided :with a `tab-:2l :to enable the cap i8 to `be.readily'grasped l The form of the invention shown in Figure 3 issubstantially identical Ywith .thesecuring means of Figure 1 except thatthe locking-device 4I4 vis omitted and the .bolt.8a, .instead of Ibeingpro- -vided with wrench .engaging portions l2, .is provided with an.elongated `handle .2.2 .or thurnb `grip so as to enable the bolt .8a tobe rotated by hand.

In the form of the ,inventionshownin Figures 4, 5 and 6, the wheel Bissubstantially iden-- tical with that of Figs. ,1, `2. andv3, However,the

cover structure and securing means lof Figures 4, 5 an-d 6 are different.and-will now be de.- scribed. n Y f The cover is `oi the two-parttypeiernbodying front and v rear drum-likemembersV 2z2 and 23jrespectively, shaped-in kcross-sectionY to simulate generally thetransverse sectional contour foi,- the spare-Wheell and tire. The front.member #22 isv formed with a irim porticato substantially coverwithin-the Ymouth of the boss 26. portion ofthe cap 3i! preferablydiarnetricallyY Opposite .thehinge 3|, the cap has securely fas- -theentireztread of the tireand extending rearwardly suiciently :to `overlap:the `return bent .margin of the .rear .member 23. 'I-'he rear member 23at vits central portion is bulged forwardly so as to project into thehub-C when .the wheel is. properly mounted, and be sandwiched betweenange portions H at the vforward end of the carrier E. vSaid portionsandfmember 23 are preferably permanently connected together as ,bywelding or the like.

Abolt .2,4 has l'its head 25 preferably permafnently securedito thecarrier E so as to extend substantially axially :of the' cover and wheel.forwardly within the hub C. 'I'he front cover -mernberz22 `is formedsubstantially centrally with f a rearwardly depressed boss 26 of suchdimensions as to readily passv rearwardly into; the

such -size as .to clear the mouth -of the hub C without diihculty, yet ttherein so as to be substantially centered with respect to the hub C.

The boss 26 is provided with -a preferably cen- Vtral vopening throughl:which the bolt 24 is arrangedto extend-forwardly when the cover mem-.ber .22 is in proper covering position, a lock washer and-nut 21completing lthe bolt assembly Y within the boss 26 and serving to urgethe same rearwardly so as to clampvthe-portion of the cover member 22adjacent the boss 26 against thc A,front wall Grof the hub C. Securelymounted on the carrier E and extending forwardly thereof `are aplurality of supporting pins 28 arranged to be aligned withcorresponding -openings29 in the hubC. The num- -ber .of openings in thehub may be varied, ve

spond to the number-,of openings 29 although that 1 itis ,notessentalandin fact in the present illustration there lare vprovided three pins, twoof .whichare in adjacent openings 29 an-d the third of which .is .in asubstantially diametrically opposed third opening `Z9.

The pins 2,9 Vpreferably extend upward at an angle to the `axis lof thewheeLand by virtue of the arrangement of the pins Ain `correspondence-with the vopenings Iof the khub C, and the fact that the openings 29are readily visible through y the front opening in rthe hub, saidopenings may o be readily aligned with the forward ends of the pins ,.28so as to readily receive the same and be mounted thereon as Y.shown inFigures 4 Vand 5.

The pins28 serve substantiallyas hooks which not only support thesparewheel and tire vertically,

or in theplane of the wheel and tire, but afford also lateral supportpreventing the wheel from slipping up the ypins prior to application ofthe clamping nut 2F.' to the bolt 24.

The front cover member 22 is ,provided with a cap 39 preferably hinged,thereto at 3| and provided With a peripheral neck 32 arranged to fit Ata marginal tenedrthereto as by spot-welding or the like, a lock device33 preferably key-operated and pro- ;vided with `a plunger or latch 34whose rear outer end portion is beveled .so as to enable Athe same to becammed inwardly by the rim 350i the boss v2S as the cap 39 is swung-toclosing position. As the cap 3.3 is continued 'in Yits rearwardswingingmovement'the plunger :34 is held by the peripheral wall ofthe boss 26 inits retracted -position upon the plunger 34 is snapped outwardly intosaid opening and beyond said Wall so as to engage the rear surface ofthe front wall G of the hub C as shown in Figure 4. The plunger 34 maybe withdrawn manually by inserting the proper key in the key hole 31.

It is thus apparent that the spare wheel, spare tire and front covermember 22 may be securely mounted against rattling on the carrier E insuch a manner as to render the same theft-proof.

A somewhat modified form of the construction shown in Figures 4, and 6appears in Figures '7, 8 and 9. In this modied form of the invention,the rear cover member may be employed but for illustrative purposes isomited, the sole covering instrumentality comprising substantially thefront cover member 22. Welded or brazed, or otherwise preferablypermanently secured in coaxial relation to the attaching flangestructure H of the carrier E is a threaded sleeve 38 conicallycountersunk at its free end at 39 to readily guide the threaded end ofthe cap screw or bolt 4D thereinto. The adjacent portion of the angestructure H may, if desired, also be threaded in continuation of thethread of the sleeve or nut 38. The screw 40 passes rearwardly through acentral opening in the boss 26 of the cover member 22, a lock washerbeing positioned between the bottom of the boss 26 and the head 4I ofthe screw. After the head 4| is tightened to the desired degree so as toprevent rattling between the carrier, wheel and cover, a hub cap 42 forthe wheel having preferably a plurality of spring detents 43 arranged toproject outwardly beyond the collar 44 of the cap is forced rearwardlyin coaxial relation with the cover member 22 until the latches 43 snapinto the openings 36a provided in the peripheral wall of the boss 26 ofthe cover member 22 for that purpose.

The flange structure H is provided with upwardly inclined pins 28extending forwardly and upwardly through corresponding openings 23 inthe hub C and cooperating in exactly the same manner in which the partswere described to cooperate in connection with Figures 4, 5 and 6.

The connection afforded by the employment of the spring detents 43serves to prevent rattling between the cap 42 and the cover member 22and hub C.

In Figures l0, 11 and 12, a still further modified form of the inventionis shown. The cover structure may be varied as desired but, forillustrative purposes only, is shown in this modification to comprise apair of parts embodying a drum-like side plate 44 for coveringsubstantially the entire front side of the spare wheel B and spare tireA, and a preferably resilient split rim member 45 of the Lyon type, therim member, by virtue of its resilience, serving to hug the tire and tooverlap and cause the side plate member 44 also to hub the tire at itsouter peripheral portion so that both parts of the cover are held insubstantially coaxialrelation to the spare wheel andtire, and so as notto rattle with respect to each other or with respect to the tire. Theanti-rattling strip 460i rubber or the like carried by the outer marginof the member 44 engages the rim member 45 for this purpose, preventingmetal to metal contact between said members.

As in the last two forms of the invention previously described, themounting flange H of the carrier E is provided with upwardly inclinedsupporting pins 28 adapted to extend through corresponding openings 29in the spare wheel hub Auntil an opening 35 in said wall is reached,where- C to support the spare wheel B, and as in Figures 4, 5 and 6, thebolt 24 extends forwardly from the carrier E in substantially coaxialrelation to the spare wheel B when the same is mounted on the carrier E,the head 25 of the bolt being swaged, welded, brazed or otherwisesuitably preferably permanently connected to the carrier E.

The cover member 44 is formed substantially centrally with a hollowrearwardly extending boss 46 which may be of a diameter appreciably lessthan the diameter of the mouth F of the front wall G of the hub C, so asto clearly t therein. For the purpose of reinforcing the base of theboss 46 as well as to assist in holding the cover member 44 insubstantially coaxial relation to the spare wheel B, a spider structureis provided comprising a body 4l and arms 48. The number of arms 48 mayof course be varied, three being here employed for illustrative purposesonly. The body 41 and arms 48 adjacent the body extend substantially atright angles to the axis of the boss and rearwardly-of the same, and arebrazed, welded, riveted, or otherwise suitably preferably permanentlyconnected to the base of the boss 46. T'rie arms are bent forwardly soas to extend substantially parallel to the axis of the boss 46 adjacenttheir outer ends, at such a distance from the center of the body 4l asto enable said arms to snugly fit in the mouth F of the hub C. It willof course be understood that suitable clearance will be allowed tocompensate for slight discrepancies in manufacture, and to enable thespider to readily it without diculty in the mouth F. The arms 48 attheir outer extremities 49 extend laterally so as to be interposedbetween the cover member 44 and the front wall G of the hub C. Iidesired, said extremities may be welded or otherwise suitably `fastenedto the cover member 44.

The boss 46 and spider body 41 are provided with registering centralopenings through which the shank of the bolt 24 extends forwardly, theend of the bolt 24 being threaded and receiving a nut of substantiallythe same construction as the bolt head illustrated in Figure 1. The nut24a is thus provided with spaced wrench engaging portions |2a. and anintermediate annular groove [3a for cooperating with the locking devicei4 in the manner previously described.

Once the nut is tightened to the desired degree, it is clear thatrattling will be prevented and at the same .time the spare wheel, sparetire and cover member 44 will be securely held in proper cooperativerelation. When the locking device is applied, the whole comprising thespare wheel, spare tire and cover member 44 are securely locked to thecarrier E.

A cap structure for protecting the instrumentalities located in the boss46 from dust and the like may be provided as shown at 56. This structureembodies a hollow member 5| having an inturned marginal edge which maybe spot welded, riveted or `otherwise suitably secured to the covermemberv 44 in substantially coaxial relation thereto. A closure 52 ishinged to the part 5I at 53 so as to swing, the part 5l being providedwith a central opening 54 rendering the interior of the boss 46accessible for the application of a key to the key hole 55 of the lockdevice I4 and the application of a wrench to the portions |2a of thenut. The closure 52 may be swung into closed position as shown in Figureor to open position as shown in Figure 12, and to facilitate engagementtherewith for movans-nokia ingithe; sanierthe closureispr-ovidedf-vvithlA a fin'-l ger griptor tabl 56.- In'-Figure's:13and 14`is illustrated. a modifiedform of. tire coverwhichcould,-- for example,be employedbinplacecof the cover structure shownin. Figure. 4f.. The:covery structure off Figures 1-3f and`14 embodies halt-cover members.5i-each having a. rimpor-tionA 5S- arr'anged tofcoverj slightly less`than. one-halfthe treadofY the tire- AL- soas toi leave. a-gaptherebetween; at substantiall-y'il the median planet of the tire.The-'rimportiens 58 at their margins' arebent outwardly Vatl 597 toprovide f anchoring flanges' forretaining a Aresilient-ller. strip 60which-bridges the:r 'gap beVV-A tween-the-` portions- 58.; The'. strip60? is' preferably. concavo-convex inv cro's's-set'stior'iL andfa'rJ-ranged with its convex surface outermost so ais'- to give'1theimpression. that the portions? iaridi part* 60:, arey integral.E Thepart 60 isir preferably' of generally arcuate form-and of.substantiallymore` than" 360 in extent and isI resilientis`o= as tohugthe hangs-portions*sfand-tlierebyhold itself-thereon. vAv fingergripping hookA or.`- ring' slf'may be'appliedadjacent either orb'othendsof. thestripf-BU to enable oneinanipulatingthe' structure:v toreadily grasp aridapply or.' remove; as the' casemay be, the-'strip 60'sAl somewhat' modified stripstructure isf shown in Figures 15v and 16,1wherein the' strip-l Ba! is nearly 360 in extent andi-isf provided atits ends'- with brackets 62.1 which! are oppositelyf-thread'ed toreceivethe oppositelythreaded Shanks E53-fof aA turnbuckle 64; whereby thestripa' may eri-r4 panded to enablethe same'to' be appliedtoand! g5:removed from'v cooperativerelation .with the cover:

members 5T and may-'be contracted. so that the same will be held inAsaidr position.

Figure l7f shows a somewhat modified cnve'if and.z strip structure. Thecover members' 57a*- have'their rim porticiris"l 58a,` provided With-iinwardlyfbent anges 59a, providing.a'.-trarisverselyv taperedlongitudinally annulari' pocket in--Which a correspondingly. shaped,outwardly convexresilient= strip 60a is received; If' desired, the-stripGIJa-maybe made ofr'ubberorf other suitablerm'aterialf havingthe desiredresilient cl'iaracteris-V tics.; Thest'rip 60a isxso"forrn'e'd-preferablyV as" toxconceal the peripheral pocket and the gapbetween th'e `cover members- 51a,V and mayI be 1 formedv with handle orfinger' grip means 6I' as in'Figuref'lB or with adjusting' shown inFigures 15 and 16.

A- further modified cover constructionis shown in-Figures118 and 19;wherein lthe 'cover halvesli 1 are'fornied so' that the plane `of theouter'mar-` gin' of' 'each is inclined tof-the a-Xi's thereof; Thecovermembersti' andv 65er are formed so that-y thev front member preferablymay be arranged-tto overlaptherrear member as clearly shown in Fig-Y ure1-9. The rear: cover member-y (i5:- is 'preferably secured tothe'carrier E' soy that the' shallowest" portion Brthereof is uppermostan'dfitisiobvious: that when the front c'over member- 65aismounted inposition, the deepest portion 61: will be located uppermost-soas'toinsure the-front mern. bers overlapping the rear member substantially'throughout. This arrangement willsubs'tanti'ally preclude. entry offoreign matter between the` rnembers-- Suitable` cushioning means 66almay be provided-between thev overlapped margins of the members 65 and65a toinhibit rattling therebetween.

r'neans suchas- A further modified form of-tire cover structure is shownin Figure 20, for'aiording a streamline 75.eifect-in-coniunctionwith-Van automobile body.

The'b'ody at. the rear or elsewhere may be inclined or' otherwiselocated and provided with a depressed-portion' 69 ofsuch depth as tohouse the spare. wheelfB, spare tire A, andV front cover member 'Ill andtocooperate with the latter in substantially completely enclosing thespare wheel andl tire; Preferably, thedepthof the depressed-'portion69fissuchf-that'when the cover member 10T is engaged with the front wallG of the hub C, the outer surface of the cover member 10i is:substantially flush with and constitutes substantiallyv a continuationofthe outer surface of the body 68 ofthe vehicle.

'I'he outer cover member 'luis formed with a collar 'lli extending, atits outer margin soas t'o telescope thev depressed portion 69 and theedgeportion' of the4 collar 'H is preferably turned inwardly at-12 toassist in centering and guiding the-cover member 10 as' it is moved intotelescoped relationto the depressed portion 69. TheY portion-Seisformed' adjacent its mouth 13 with a--stripof anti-rattling means, suchas felt, rubberor the-f like '14,` and the turned'edge 12 will slideover the same-"when the4 cover parts are' assembled in telescopedrelation.

The outer cover memberA 10 is provided with a substantially central'opening bounded by a flange 'l5-extending in the same direction asY thecollarV H andlof` such-diameter as to fit the mouth of the wallG ofthehub-C.

The opening. in the cover member 10 is provided for the reception of aspider 'l5 whosearms 'I1 fit in the ange 15- and-Which provides aclampfbase- 'I8 for receiving the clamping nut on thethreaded-end-of-the connecting boltY 241. The arms 11.- are-fastenedbyspot-welding or the like toa c losure device 50 such-asis shown inFigure 10.- The device 50 is spot-welded or otherwise suitablysecured\to the cover member 10 adiacent itscentralopeningJ-.so that thecover member- 1 |l-,closuredevice '5U-and spider 16; constitute ineffect-Ma unitary structure. v

Theshankof the bolt 24, Whose head 25 is-perrnanently fastened-totheange structure Hl of the carrieris-Varrangedfto project through thespider 16-t'o vbe--tl'ireaded--into-a clamping nut, accessto-Whieh--byan unauthorized person may be prevented-by the employmentof-a-locking device. I'4-asheretofore described.V`

In applying thev covermember 10g-the latter may,- if desired,.be-positioned at= anangle to the body 68 so as-tdsubstantially restuponthe lower part ofthe band T4, and thereafter swung aboutthe-supported partas a pivot substantially to the positionshown inVFigure' 20.

The spider 16- is preferably of substantially thicker gage materialthanthe sheet material such as-sheet--metalv` employed in the constructionof the tirecover member 'Illr and closure de-V vice 50, soas towithstand the clamping pressure factlulng--operations-at-low cost;andthe exposed partsflend--themselves tor-anyV desired ornamentae tion.The closures arranged at the central portions of vthe outer or frontcover members may, if desired, constitute name plates, either of themanufacturer or owner of the vehicle, if desired.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the lock device I4 is freelyrotatable about the part locked thereby so that when the device is inlocked relationship to Vsaid part, rotation of the device will notresult in rotation of the part locked. f

The strip Gila is more than 180 in extent and may be split or endless,as desired. It may be of substantially form-retaining material so thatit may be Snapped'into place afterY the cover membersare assembled, andif made of collapsible material, it may be snapped into place even ifmade endless. It is not necessary, however, to mount the strip lla bysnapping, since the strip may be placed in position so as to engage themargin of the rear cover member before the front member is ap-plied.After the front member is applied, it will be held by any of theinstrumentalities hereinabove described'in cooperative relation with thespare wheel and will thus hold the strip in place. Y

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than is necessitated bythe prior art.

I claim as my invention: I

1. In combination with a spare wheel and tire cover and Ya spare Wheelsupport havingmeans accessible from the front through thefwheel hub formounting the wheel: means carried by the cover for mounting the cover soas to prevent unauthorized access to the first means,l the second meanscomprising a threaded member arranged to translate substantially axiallyof but not rotate relative to the cover, radially expansible andcontractible resilient means carried by said member and arranged to passfreely into the hub as the cover is placed in operative position, arotary threaded element cooperating with Ysaid membervso as to translatethe same, and abutment means in the path of forward movement of saidresilient means to cam the same outwardly so as to project the samebehind the front wall of the hub, and instrumentalities for preventinunauthorized rotation of said element.

2. In combination with a spare wheel and tire cover and a spare wheelsupport having means accessible from the front through the wheel hub formounting the wheel: means carried by the cover for mounting the cover soas to prevent unauthorized access to thel rst means, the second meanscomprising a threaded member arranged to translate Vsubstantiallyaxially of but not rotate relative to the cover, radially expansible andcontractible resilient means carried by said member and arranged to passfreely into outwardly so as to project the same behind thel front wallof the hub, and key-controlled instrumentalities for preventingunauthorized rotation of said element.

'3. In combination with a tired spare wheel having an enlarged hubopening and a tire cover therefor: means carried by the cover formounting the cover on the wheel, said means comprising a threaded memberarranged to translate substantially axially of but not rotate relativeto the cover, radially expansible and contractible resilient meanscarried by said member and arranged to pass freely into the opening asthe cover is placed in operative position, a rotary threaded elementcooperating with said member so as to translate the same, and abutmentmeans in the path of forward movement of said resilient means to cam thesame outwardly so as to project in the larger part of the opening.

. 4. In combination with a tired spare wheel having an enlarged hubopening and a tire cover therefor: means carried by the cover formounting the cover on the wheel, said means comprising a threaded memberarranged to translate substantially axially of but not rotate relativeto the cover, radially expansible and contractible resilient meanscarried by said member and arranged to pass freely into the opening asthe cover is placed in operative position, a rotary threaded elementcooperating with saidmember so as to translate the same, and abutmentmeans in the path of forward movement of said resilient means in thepath of forward movement of said resilient means to cam the sameoutwardly so as to project in the larger part of theopening, and ahandle carried by said element to enable the same to be readily rotated.

5. In combination with a spare wheel and tire cover and al spare wheelsupport having means accessible from the front through the wheel hub formounting the wheel: means carried by the cover for mounting the cover soas to prevent unauthorized access to the rst means, the second meanscomprising a threaded member arranged to translate'substantially axiallyof but not rotate relative to the cover, radially expansible andcontractible resilient means carried by said member vand arranged topass freely into the hub as the cover is placed in operative position, arotary threaded element cooperating with said member so as to translatethe same, and abutment means in the path of forward movement of saidresilient means to cam the same outwardly so as to project the samebehind the front wall of the hub, and instrumentalities for preventingunauthorized rotation of said element, said member being disposed so asto be inaccessible from the front of the cover except by means of saidelement.

6. In combination with a spare wheel and tire cover and a spare wheelsupport having means accessible from the front through the wheel hub formounting the wheel: means carried by the cover for mounting the cover soas to prevent unauthorized access to the first means, the second meanscomprising a threaded member arranged to translate substantially axiallyof but not rotate relative to the cover, radially expansible andcontractible resilient means carried by said member and arranged to passfreely into the hub as the cover is placed in operative position, arotary threaded element cooperating with said member so as to translatethe same, and abutment means in the path of forward movement of saidresilient means to cam the same outwardly so as to project the samebehind the front wall of the hub, and instrumentalities for preventingunauthorized rotation of said element, said second means beingindependent of the wheel mounting means.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

